I set out to complete a task this year. I am tired of my deeks having all different types of decoy line, weights ect. So I started melting all my old weights and poured 3 oz weights, enough for every duck decoy. I poured 2 oz for my teal decoys. I have been looking for the right kind of string and found it. Modelo found some on line but I wanted to find a local source so I could just swing by and pick it up when I need it in the future.

Finally I found it. Ace Hardware sells clear weedeater string that is on the big loop and not tightly coiled from the factory. You can get .08, .095 or .105. .105 is pretty non flexible and the length is not near what the .09 length. So I went with .095. I already like it. I got 3 doz done in just a few minutes last night. If I am home this weekend I might go on and do the other 12 dozen.

What weights did you pour? Egg, flat?

I have a bank sinker mold so I went with it.

I have some of the old style oval weights I want to melt. 3dz 8 oz will make a bunch of eggs sinkers.

wayne, pony up the cash for the 400lb mono leader line, you wont regret it

I think I like the smooth clear weedeater string better. 400 lb mono is .08 inches thick which is 2mm. The weedeater string is .095 inches or 2.4 mm. It doesn't curl up like the tight wound spools. It comes off of the spool relatively straight.

To get the mono I would either have to drive to Cut Rate Tackle in Houston or order it online. I would rather stick a lit fire log up my rear before I would drive into Houston. Neither of those are an option. I don't want to have to pay shipping and wait for the mono to come in. I want to walk into a store, pick it up and go home with it.

Maybe in the future I will order a duck weight mold. What has everyone settled on so far as weight shapes. So far as the lightest weight holding the best. What is the best configuration so to speak.

I have a Lee electric melting pot. Put the lead in the top and lift the handle to pour out of a spout in the bottom. It is old but still works pretty good. Your welcome to borrow at my house of take it with you and return it later.

I use these weights:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/5-pounds-EGG-SIN...=item27c2f9171a

Then I went with 250lb mono. They have lasted 2 years and outside of an errant swivel breaking I haven't messed with them since I put them together. 400lb is more stiff and I liked having the smaller diameter.

Lots of work Wayne, but when it is done you don't have to mess with it for a few years. Sounds like you have to many dekes

Bass pro has 300 lb leader 100yds for like 17 bucks

Two years ago I rigged all my decoys with the clear .095 weedeater line from Ace. They have been great. No problems. I put a swivel clip on the decoy that I run the line through. Lets it slide a little better. I've hunted with someone with the mono and I think I prefer the weedeater line.

Lots of work! Have fun...

Funny you mention Bass Pro. I called the Katy BP and asked two questions to the guy at the fishing counter. WhenI asked if they had 400 lb mono he sounded interupted. When I asked the diameter of the material they had his quote was "Sir we are really busy right now, that information can be found on the websight" and hung up the telephone. I called back and smoked the ears off of a manager.

Any write ups on how to melt down some old weights into sinker weights? I am assuming there are melting pots/kits online somewhere? How does everybody melt down their old ones and form new ones?

I got some 6-oz pre-rigged weights/line for christmas. 6-oz is just too big for my teal so I was wanting to melt all my weights down into 3-oz or 4-oz egg sinkers.

http://www.jannsnetcraft.com/lead-melters-tools/


This is what I use. I am careful to do it outside as I am afraid of fumes, if their are any lead fumes possible. I just use it outside.
You can use the ladel looking things but that would take a while.

I used Texas-style rigged decoys this season for the first time. Couldnt beleieve how easy to put out and pick up. No more wrapping cords on deeks or tangled lines.

Mack's Prairie Wing site - http://www.mackspw.com/Item--i-HUT210S

I have used Texas rigged for years. I just needed to redo them as I had some rigged with that crap pvc line, some with old mono and some with 1/4 oz rope.

I do mine different than you have in that photo. I run the line through the keel hole and use crimps to make a loop at one end and crimps to faasten the weight at the other. I don't use a snap swivel at all.

I have many with the PVC line and it sucks so bad. It's only slightly better than twine.

I'll put this on my list this year and get all my decoys done alike.

FowlDreams did all his with egg shaped slider weights and I liked it a lot.

That tangle free pvc is crap! I have been meaning to get all mine done the same way for a long time. Next season I will be prepared before the season on all of my projects.

I am still in limbo on the beaver ponds I am trying to lease. If they come about I am going to have to spend every free minute this summer getting them ready for next season. They have got to hurry this project up a little.

I am looking forward to hanging my decoys in a blind at the beginning of a season and leave them at the blind until the season ends. I have been running and gunnig the birds since before I was old enough to drive, I had to go with family or friends before that. It will be nice to wake up, get on a four wheeler and get to the blind about 5 minutes before LST. I can make coffee in the blind and just chill. Cook the birds at night and have a campfire. I am ready.

I've done mine both ways... 1) with swivels and 2) through the keel with no swivels. I prefer swivels and this year have actually been using the swivels on tangle free line more than on mono.

cheap way to texas rig your decoys right now. This is what I did. Academy sells some H&H decoy weights with mono. I bought the 4 oz. They come in 48" or 72" lengths. It has a snap on the end. I cut the snap off and put it on the main line to slide up and down. I made my loops and bought some crimps that were on clearance. Hammered them down and for $12 you are able to rig a dozen dekes. The site say's 17.99 but at the stores they ring up for 11.88 I bought enough to rig all my decoys this way. I was able to use them for the last two weeks and man it makes it easy to toss out the spread you want in less than 5 mins. the crimps are also on clearance for $0.88 for 24 pack.

http://www.academy.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_10051_31091_-1?N=329212129+4294966814

http://www.academy.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_10051_31117_-1?N=329212129

the string also comes in clear and its roughly the size of 400# mono

I tried those and some of the weights came off when I threw out deeks.

Those are what I used to rig my first ever decoys. Cut the snaps off, slid the line through the keel and made a loop. Still going strong to this day.

I walkin and always looking for ways shed weight, so I went with 1 oz weights, and they work just fine even in 25 mph wind.. I like swivels too, deek slides up and down the line better. Below is mono I use..

http://www.snlcorp.com/SNL/Other/DuckDecoyKit.aspx

I use weedeater string and before I start I will unroll however much I need and pull it tight between to trees or something and let it stretch straight before I start stringing the deeks. Be sure to hang the decoys straight during the offseason so the string doesnt retain any memory. Works great for me.

Wayne, post pics of 15 dozen dekes please, I need a pick me up. thx